Well, not my first encounter "ever", but while living in the van here in Utah for the last nine weeks it has been my first. I have mixed feelings on cops because I have had both very positive and negative experience with them. But anyway, my story...
So, I pulled into Planet Fitness shortly after nine pm and my normal spot had a vehicle in it. Just to add, I just picked up my new Olympian Wave 3000 at my classmates house so I was going to be unboxing it. Anyway, I parked...I always back in, and then got in the back and was in the process of putting my windshield/window coverings on. While doing that I did not have the lights on inside but the parking lot is well lit and I have a sun roof so its pretty easy to see inside. Well, as I was sitting in my passenger seat which is facing backwards because I put it on a swivel, two girls happen to be walking by to their car which was parked next to me. They looked in and saw me and I probably did look slightly suspicious to them.
Well, about 15-20 minutes later I see a guy with a flashlight (I hadn't put the passenger window cover up yet) and I noticed he was walking towards my van so it didn't take long to realize he was a cop. As he walked up I slid open my sliding door, I was sitting on my office chair, and greeted him. First thing I want to note is he did not have an attitude which is always a relief. He told me that someone called saying "I" or my "van" looked suspicious. Conversation went easy and I explained that I was a nursing student here and easily answered all his questions. He also later told me that it was a female who called in because I told him about the two females that walked by earlier. I told him the different places I parked and such. He basically said that if no one complains then they don't really have an issue with me. I had given him my license and my phone number. He mentioned to me that he appreciated my openness. I think a few other factors helped also, those being: I'm clean cut and was well dressed, my van is clean, even my tires are clean and shiny with Armorall and I just waxed it the day before so it looks pretty good. Plus the inside is neat and clean...it doesn't look like I just threw everything in it. This is the same approach as when I drove 18 wheelers. I took pride in my appearance and the inside/outside of the truck.
In the end I hope that any further encounters will be of the positive nature. I'm staying in one of the most expensive areas outside Salt Lake City, one because this is where my school is and two, my stuff is safe at night. Actually, I almost never lock up...although I do have my EU2000 locked on the back with a cover. Anyway, just thought I would share this experience.
Matt
So, I pulled into Planet Fitness shortly after nine pm and my normal spot had a vehicle in it. Just to add, I just picked up my new Olympian Wave 3000 at my classmates house so I was going to be unboxing it. Anyway, I parked...I always back in, and then got in the back and was in the process of putting my windshield/window coverings on. While doing that I did not have the lights on inside but the parking lot is well lit and I have a sun roof so its pretty easy to see inside. Well, as I was sitting in my passenger seat which is facing backwards because I put it on a swivel, two girls happen to be walking by to their car which was parked next to me. They looked in and saw me and I probably did look slightly suspicious to them.
Well, about 15-20 minutes later I see a guy with a flashlight (I hadn't put the passenger window cover up yet) and I noticed he was walking towards my van so it didn't take long to realize he was a cop. As he walked up I slid open my sliding door, I was sitting on my office chair, and greeted him. First thing I want to note is he did not have an attitude which is always a relief. He told me that someone called saying "I" or my "van" looked suspicious. Conversation went easy and I explained that I was a nursing student here and easily answered all his questions. He also later told me that it was a female who called in because I told him about the two females that walked by earlier. I told him the different places I parked and such. He basically said that if no one complains then they don't really have an issue with me. I had given him my license and my phone number. He mentioned to me that he appreciated my openness. I think a few other factors helped also, those being: I'm clean cut and was well dressed, my van is clean, even my tires are clean and shiny with Armorall and I just waxed it the day before so it looks pretty good. Plus the inside is neat and clean...it doesn't look like I just threw everything in it. This is the same approach as when I drove 18 wheelers. I took pride in my appearance and the inside/outside of the truck.
In the end I hope that any further encounters will be of the positive nature. I'm staying in one of the most expensive areas outside Salt Lake City, one because this is where my school is and two, my stuff is safe at night. Actually, I almost never lock up...although I do have my EU2000 locked on the back with a cover. Anyway, just thought I would share this experience.
Matt
